Stocks gain under the ‘first five days’ rule, setting up for a good 2019 performance

(CNBC) When stocks bounce at the beginning of the year, history shows the market is more often up than down at year-end. Therefore, this year’s early January performance could be a good omen. Stocks finished Tuesday with a gain, with the S&P 500 up 2.6 percent at 2,574, in the first five days of the year.